Top 10 Cornwall Feb 18
BEAUTIFUL beaches, glorious gardens and fabulous food are just three of the reasons why Cornwall is considered one of the most desirable destinations in the whole of the UK.
Cornwall's unique micro-climate means that flora and fauna often bloom in Cornwall well before anywhere else in the county, making the Easter period a great time to get out and about in one of the county's many great gardens, from family fun at the Eden Project – home to the country's only indoor rainforest – to discovering the delights of Heligan, where the Lost Gardens have a surprise waiting around every corner.
If all this gardening gets your mouth watering, why not take a 'foody' trip out to the annual Oyster Gathering and finish the day off at one of the county's renowned seafood restaurants? From Rick Stein's The Seafood Restaurant on the Riverside in Padstow to 'gastropubs' such as The Queens Hotel on the High Street, St Ives there's something for every taste and every budget.
Julia Hughes, tourism executive at Visit Cornwall, said: "Thanks to our peninsula location and mild climate, spring comes early in Cornwall, and by Easter the county is swathed in an abundance of colour. Gardens are flourishing and our stunning surroundings take on an almost artistic quality with beautiful wildflowers adding splashes of colour to hedgerows and fields.
"And our events calendar is just as colourful. As well as traditional Easter fun, there are spring festivals and special garden openings – it's the perfect time to get out and about and explore what's on our doorstep!"
We've picked out 10 highlights for this Easter.
1) The Eden Project is challenging you to explore 'Freaky Nature' this Easter, with exploding plants, sticky plants, smelly plants and even carnivorous plants that bite back! And if this gives you a taste for the exotic, why not try something different from the menu, which includes stinging nettle frittata and lavender meringues. Freaky Nature is on from Good Friday, March 29 to Sunday April 14, 2013. The event is included in the cost of admission to Eden (except Sticky Survival, which costs £2.50 per person, face painting and temporary tattoos – prices on display at the event)Eden Project, Bodelva, PL24 2SG. T. 01726 811911
2) The fishing village of Padstow has its annual Easter egg roll on Easter Sunday, March 31, in aid of the RNLI. The fun starts at noon, outside the Cross House on Duke Street, so all you have to do is bring along a decorated hard-boiled egg to join the clowns in some traditional Easter fun and games. Padstow Lifeboat Station, Trevose Head, Mother Ivey's Bay, Padstow, PL28 8SL T: 01841 520667
3) Trereife House (pronounced Treave), is a beautiful centuries-old family-owned estate, steeped in history, which is being lovingly restored by the seventh generation family and is now open to the public throughout the year for bed and breakfast and in the summer months for day visitors. This Easter, March 29 to April 1, the Queen Anne Manor House, which in parts dates back to the reign of Elizabeth 1, and the formal gardens, are the venue for a fabulous Easter food and craft fair.Trereife House, Penzance, TR20 8TJ. 01736 362750
4) Take a break at the historic Godolphin house and medieval garden, all set within an ancient and atmospheric estate. Easter is a great time to wander around the 16th century garden, one of the most important historic gardens in Europe, but it is also the time to solve the clues and complete a trail around the ancient garden and grounds, to claim a chocolate reward. The Easter Egg Trail takes place from March 29 to April 1.
Godolphin Cross, Helston, TR13 9RE. T. 01736 763194
5) You cannot go far in Cornwall without coming across some of the most scrumptious seafood in the whole country. This year the fourth Annual Oyster Gathering Oyster Gathering & Seafood Harvest will be hosted at a new location at Flushing Quay, Falmouth, over the Easter weekend from Good Friday all the way through to Easter Monday.
Oyster Gathering and Seafood Harvest, Mylor Harbour, Falmouth, TR11 5UF
6) Don your Easter bonnet at Trerice, an intimate Elizabethan manor and a Cornish gem. The renowned stillness and tranquility of Trerice is much prized by visitors, but this Easter from March 29 to 31 visitors have the chance to come and make a fun and outrageous Easter bonnet, using only the brightest card and materials. Booking is advisable for the timed tickets which are available in reception for 12pm, 12.45pm, 2pm, and 2.45pm workshops. Normal admission charges apply.
Kestle Mill, near Newquay, TR8 4PG T. 01637 875404.
7) The St Endellion Music Festival takes place at Easter every year in the Collegiate Church of St Endelienta, bringing together a wide range of exciting musicians from all over the world. St Endellion is near Port Isaac and about a mile from the glorious North Cornwall Coast. This year, the Easter Festival Come and Sing takes place on March 30, giving people the chance to participate in the 40th anniversary celebrations of the St Endellion Easter Festival by singing Thomas Tallis' remarkable 40-part motet. The festival itself takes place from March 29 to April 7.
Collegiate Church of St Endelienta, St Endellion, PL29 3TP Tel: 07870 548187.
8) Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, one of the finest of the mighty fortresses built by Henry VIII to defend the country against invasion, this castle has seen action in many conflicts and was one of the last royalist strongholds to fall during the English Civil War. This is the place where you can witness a Tudor gun deck in action and see how the Guardhouse was equipped during the First World War. There is also an exciting interactive exhibition where you can experience the sights and sounds of battle and relive an enemy attack on a Second World War observation post. For additional fun this Easter, the castle is hoping that families will crack the clues and complete an 'egg-citing' trail to be rewarded with a special Easter prize. The Easter Family Fun Trail takes place from March 29 to April 14, from 10am to 5pm at Pendennis Castle.Pendennis Castle, Castle Close, Falmouth, TR11 4LP. T. 01326 316594
9) Join the fun-seeking families for a great Egg-venture at Cornwalls Crealy Adventure Park over Easter and try to find the Park's golden ticket to win a great prize. And on April 2, you can even get to meet Peppa Pig! Crealy is open daily during the Easter holidays, from March 23. Admission charges apply.Cornwalls Crealy Adventure Park, Tredinnick, Wadebridge, PL27 7RA. T. 01841 540276
10) Try geo-caching for the day on April 4 at Boscastle. Geo-caching is the new, hi-tech 'letterboxing' activity - fun for all the family. Hunt for clues and hidden caches out in the countryside using handheld GPS. Meet in the National Trust Visitor Centre in Boscastle harbour, PL35 0HD. Wear suitable walking gear and bring binoculars if you have them.
Booking is essential on 01208 863046.
